By Ewan Murray
Two giants of the international stage will lock horns on Saturday as France host Germany in an international friendly.
With all eyes now on Euro 2024 this summer, Germany will be under the spotlight over the March break. The tournament hosts have been enduring a crisis period under several managers, but now have the impressive Julian Nagelsmann at the helm. However, he has won just one of his four friendlies as head coach so far, with his side huge underdogs for the weekend clash with France.
The 2018 world champions, who are still being guided by Didier Deschamps, qualified for Euro 2024 with little fuss, and will be keen to flex their muscles against Germany. However, despite going into the friendly as favourites, they did lose 2-1 against their eastern neighbours in Dortmund last September, albeit missing the extremely influential Kylian Mbappe on that occasion.
Here is90min's preview of France vs Germany this weekend.
What time does France vs Germany kick-off?
- Location: Decines-Charpieu, France
- Stadium: Groupama Stadium
- Date: Saturday 23 March
- Kick-off Time: 20:00 GMT / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT
- Referee: Jesus Gil Manzano (SPA)
- VAR: Alejandro Jose Hernandez Hernandez (SPA)
France vs Germany H2H record (Last Five Games)
- France: 2 wins
- Germany: 1 win
- Draws: 2
- Last meeting: Germany 2-1 France (12/09/2023) - International friendly
Current form (all competitions)
How to watch France vs Germany on TV and live stream
France team news
It may only be a friendly, but Deschamps is likely to unleash some of his superstars this Saturday. However, one icon that won't be involved is Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann, who will miss the match due to an ankle injury.
Bayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman is also absent, while Ibrahima Konate is currently with the France squad but could be left out as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury that has seen him miss the last three Liverpool matches.
France predicted lineup vs Germany
France predicted lineup vs Germany (4-3-3): Maignan; Pavard, Saliba, Upamecano, T. Hernandez; Rabiot, Tchouameni, Camavinga; Dembele, Giroud, Mbappe.
Germany team news
Nagelsmann has gone for a comparatively experimental squad for the March break, leaving out the likes of Leroy Sane, Leon Goretzka and Mats Hummels. There are a host of new faces, including the Stuttgart pair Deniz Undav and Waldemar Anton.
Toni Kroos has also returned to the Germany squad for the first time since Euro 2020 and should feature against France, but Bayern Munich duo Aleksandar Pavlovic and Manuel Neuer and Heidenheim's Jan-Niklas Beste are out with fresh injuries despite receiving call-ups.
Germany predicted lineup vs France
Germany predicted lineup vs France (4-2-2-2): Ter Stegen; Kimmich, Tah, Rudiger, Raum; Kroos, Andrich; Musiala, Wirtz; Fullkrug, Havertz.
France vs Germany score prediction
The inconsistency and current unpredictability of Germany means they may find it difficult to cope with France, especially on the road. Les Bleus are 14 places higher in FIFA's rankings and have been relentless in front of goal in recent matches. Nagelsmann's new-look squad face a mighty challenge.
With very few injuries, a very solid defensive unit and Mbappe in the final third, France should get revenge for their friendly defeat last September, potentially sending a warning sign ahead of this summer's Euros.
Prediction: France 3-1 Germany
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This article was originally published on 90min.com as France vs Germany - International friendly: Preview, predictions and lineups.
